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Home Assistant has released a new voice assistant device called ‘Voice Preview Edition’. This privacy-focused device enables local voice control for smart homes, processing commands offline. It supports custom wake words like ‘Hey Jarvis’ and can function without an internet connection, emphasizing user privacy and local processing capabilities. The device is built around a ESP32-S3 chip and an XMOS XU316 audio processor and available for $59.

Waymo has opened its driverless robotaxi service to everyone in Los Angeles. This marks a significant milestone in the evolution of self-driving car technology, as Waymo has been working on its autonomous vehicle project for 15 years. The robotaxi service is now available across 80 square miles of Los Angeles County, including areas like Hollywood, Chinatown, and Westwood. Waymo has dropped the waitlist for residents in the area, meaning anyone with the Waymo One app can now book a ride in one of its driverless cars. Waymo is expanding its service area in the future to encompass all five counties in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The company says that it has completed “hundreds of thousands of paid trips” in the city and that its driverless rides have a 4.7-star rating out of five.

Apple is reportedly planning to introduce a new smart home device, dubbed a “Command Center”, which will integrate with Apple Intelligence and offer features like controlling smart home devices, handling security camera feeds, and accessing Apple services. However, the smart home market faces challenges, with consumers expressing frustration with existing devices and ecosystems. While Apple has a strong brand and a loyal user base, its smart home ambitions face a tired market plagued by interoperability issues, privacy concerns, and a lack of trust. The article highlights the challenges in developing a truly effective and user-friendly smart home ecosystem.